The first bill for legal fees, for the last seven months from the attorney representing Loudon County in the lawsuit against Lenoir City's illegal annexation is $77,211.00. Obviously, it's not cheap defending county rights and property owners. Unfortunately, the city left the county no other option.

Back in February, after exhausting all other options, the county filed suit against the city for their illegal annexation. In March the city filed a motion to dismiss the suit. That's where things still stand. No date has yet been set on the city's motion to dismiss.

What a colossal waste of tax payers money, but apparently the only way to address a lawless government.